Chance Me for UChicago ED (CA resident, 4.0 UW, 1510 SAT, Rank 3/96, ok ECs, for History, Human Rights)

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Info
US Domestic
Out of State from CA
Small Charter Magnet School (ranked 8 in CA)
Male
Legacy to Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Northwestern
I am not applying for financial aid.

Intended Majors: History, Human Rights, LLS

UW GPA: 4.0
Weighted: 4.4 (Max is 4.54 - my school doesn’t have honors, only AP)
Rank 3/96

Scores:
SAT: 1510 (780 English | 730 Math)
AP World History: Modern - 5
AP English Language - 5
AP Macroeconomics - 5
AP Microeconomics - 5
AP US History - 5
AP Computer Science A - 4
AP Calculus BC - 4
AP Latin Literature - 4
[In Progress APs: Art History, Stats, Physics C: Mechanics, Gov, Lit]

Coursework (As in all):
9th: Bio, Geometry, Medieval World History, Euro Lit, Latin II, Drama II, ASB
10th: Chem, Precalc, AP World, AP CS, Latin III, World Lit, ASB
11th: AP Lang, AP USH, AP Calc BC, AP Latin, AP Macro, AP Micro, Ethics & Evil, ASB
12th: AP Art History, AP Stats, AP Lit, AP Gov, Capstone Research, History dept TA, ASB

Extracurriculars

  • ASB Student Body President
  • President of Model UN
  • President of Mock Trial (State Finalists)
  • Ethics Bowl NorCal Semifinalist
  • New Student Ambassador
  • President of Gardening Club
  • Student Board Representative
  • Choreographer at School Dance Company
  • Attended a Human Rights intensive at the NYT

Awards:

  • Multiple Best Delegate (MUN) awards from international level conferences
  • 1st Place Regional Mock Trial Competition
  • Mock Trial Season MVP
  • 2 Outstanding Delegate (MUN) Awards from international level conferences
  • AP Scholar with Distinction

Essays/LORs/Other

  • Common App: Totally fine and well written; nothing crazy or standout
  • UChicago: I feel very strong about my supplemental essays for UChicago; I took a risk with a more poetic and narrative writing style and I think it worked.
  • LORs: I got them from my Calc Teacher and my APUSH Teacher. My APUSH teacher was also my 9th grade history teacher and is my Mock Trial coach, so I hope she would have positive things to say.

Schools
[I should also briefly note that I did originally have a couple safeties on my list. I also applied to 5 UK Schools. I got an unconditional offer from the University of Edinburgh (9% acceptance) in early November, so I was able to cut out my safeties]

  • UChicago (ED - top choice)
  • Northwestern (Legacy)
  • Yale (RD)
  • Harvard (RD)
  • Georgetown (RD)
  • Bowdoin (RD)
  • Vassar (RD)
  • Tufts (RD)
  • NYU (RD)
  • UC Berkeley (RD)
  • UCLA (RD)
2

Should we assume you have spoken to your parents and these schools are affordable?

3

Yup, I have. Thank you.

2 Likes
5

With an excellent acceptance in hand, it is fine to apply away to a group of hyper-competitive schools (assuming affordability is not an issue).

You are a worthy applicant but as I’m sure you know, the acceptance rates for the majority of schools you have listed are absurdly low and there are more well qualified applicants than spots available. It is impossible to chance for these schools as much will depend on things that cannot or should not be shared on a public forum such as essays, LORs, etc.

Best of luck moving forward.

2 Likes
6

You’ll know soon enough-- what’s the point of the thread?

You are a strong candidate- like thousands of other U Chicago hopefuls.

Best of luck!

1 Like
7

So you’re ok going overseas ?

These are all competitive schools. At some the SAT Is low but perhaps not in context of your school.

Given you seem ok going abroad, it’s ok to roll the dice.

Curious on the last three from a size POV - they don’t fit the others.

Bowdoin and Vassar similarly - not just size but environment.

Hopefully you’ve visited and ‘know’ these schools vs just a high flying list of names because once you get on campus, you are there four years, day after day, and the name won’t impact that experience.

Good luck.

16

Your list is very similar to my son from last year’s admissions cycle. From what I know about UChicago is that they really like a sure thing. So EDing was smart. They also REALLY like creative essays. I think you have a good shot.

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Your stats are very similar to a friend of my older daughter’s who did go to U.Chicago. He however started about 10 years ago (and therefore graduated about 6 years ago) so I am not sure how things might have changed. He did comment on at least two occasions about how much work it was, but I suspect that you already know this and are ready for it.

You are competitive for Chicago, and for every other school on your list. The large majority of applicants to these schools are also competitive. It is very difficult to predict results. However, an unconditional acceptance to Edinburgh suggests that you will be at a great university in September. You will just have to wait and see which one.

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